Brown Algae

[melh1979]

I know there are many threads on this - most of which I have read but most seem to refer to planted tanks so I just wanted to check a couple of things for my tank with fake plants.
The tank has been set up since just before Christmas and for the past month has had lots of brown algae (at least I think that's what it is - it's algae and it's brown!) I have read that brown algae can be a problem in new tanks which I guess mine is but when can I expect it to disappear?
Is it worth getting a treatment to get rid of the algae - I have seen eSha Protolon 707 recommended? Or to get fish that will eat the algae (baring in mind it is a relatively new 70 litre tank with 6 lemon tetra, 3 platies and 4 bandit cories) - will they eat it off the plants? Is there anything else I can do to keep the algae in check?
Does anyone have any tricks to get the algae off the plastic plants? I have tried simply rinsing in hot water but it didn't work too well and it's a bit of a pain getting the plants out and then putting them back again (and the fish didn't seem too happy about it!)
Any help and advice would be greatfully received. Thanks!

 

[sketchy]

Brown algae AKA Diatoms
Description
This type of algae is actually a diatom. Diatoms often form a soft brown clump and are often seen in new, immature, set ups. Diatoms are usually a result of lack of light or an excess of silicates (which they need to multiply).

Possible cure
Increasing the light levels, by adding more light of keeping existing light on for longer, will usually make it disappear. Diatoms can be easily removed by wiping the glass or decorations. I have heard that in America there is a silicate absorbing filter media available, but I have not seen it anywhere on the net.

 

[rdd1952]

Otos will eat brown algae if that is what it is.

From Florida Driftwood website:

"Brown Algae: Diatoms. They form brown patches on plants but are most visible on the glass of your aquarium. Usually seen early in an aquarium's life, this "algae" is fairly easy to deal with. It is readily eaten by sucker-mouth fish like the inexpensive catfish (Otocinclus vittatus). Said to be caused by excess nutrients and silicates."

I think the silicates may be the key. As you know, the joints of a glass aquarium are sealed with silicone. I assume when it's new, the silicates leach out or what ever the term is and cause the brown algae. I know I used silicone (aquarium safe) to glue some smaller rocks together to form a cave. The tank had been running for quite a while and had no algae but I had another outbreak of brown algae which I assume was from the silicone.

It will eventually clear on it's on when the silicates are gone.

 

[melh1979]

Thanks for the info. The light it on from 1pm to 10pm so 9 hours - do you think it needs to be longer?
The tank was a second hand one so shouldn't have any silicates coming from the seals - but that's interesting to know. I read it was related to high phosphate levels too so I may take some water to the fish shop to see if they can test for phosphate for me.
Thanks

 

[rdd1952]

You could try turning the lights on longer but I've always been a little wary of that. One of the prime causes of other types of algae is too much light so I've always been concerned I would get rid of the brown algae and end up with something a lot worse.

 

[Gazoo]

My little apple snail has removed most of my brown algae that was starting to become a pain to remove myself.

 

[melh1979]

Hi I've discovered another sort of algae growing on the back of one of my plastic plants. I can't tell what it is and wondered if anyone could identify it for me.
Thanks

 

[paul_219]

You should take them out and wash them to clean them, the fish cant clean the all i have a pleco he is dealing good with them.

 

[rdd1952]

It looks like beard or fuzz algae (2nd photo down here) or maybe brush algae (further down on page). I have had it before and it is impossible to remove by hand as it sticks firm. You can pull it off decorations but not leaves as they tear before the algae comes loose.

 

[melh1979]

Thanks - I had a quick go at it with a toothbrush in the tank and it looks like it will come off but when I do the next water change I shall take the plant out and give it good scrub.

 

[Bullrock74]

You can have brown algae for extended periods of time - months. I know because I did when I first started. If you do not have enough light in the tank, then it does not matter how long you leave the lights on each day. My first tank was a 95 gallon quarter-cylinder tank. I bought just the tank, no stand, no lights. I built the stand myself and just bought 40 watts worth of lighting. I though that would be plenty...wrong! That was just enough light to have loads of brown algae everywhere. I kept waiting for the green algae to take over, but it never did. Then, I bought another 40 watts of light and presto, I was now growing green algae and have never seen any brown algae again.

So, it is not so much how long the lights are on, but how intense the light is when it is on.

 

[highfire]

If it's any consolation, I had problems with brown algea until recently.
I set my new tank up on 1st January this year, and it's really only in the last 3 weeks or so that the brown algea has gone. It went of it's own accord, so I guess it was just a case of the tank stabelising.